Togo expelled the former head of Burkina Faso following a coup plan scandal, according to sources

Togo has detained and sent back Burkina Faso’s former president to his homeland following accusations from officials there of his involvement in a coup attempt, two sources informed Reuters on Tuesday.

In 2022, Paul-Henri Damiba seized power through a coup that ousted Burkina Faso’s civilian government, which had been losing support due to escalating violence from Islamist militants.

Damiba’s inability to curb the militant groups frustrated the armed forces in the West African nation, leading to his ousting in a coup later that year by Ibrahim Traore, who now leads the military-led government.

Earlier this month, Burkina Faso announced that it had thwarted a plot to assassinate Traore, which was reportedly orchestrated by Damiba, who had taken refuge in the Togolese capital, Lome.

A security source and a source close to Togo’s presidency informed Reuters on Tuesday that Damiba was arrested on Saturday and subsequently flown to Ouagadougou.

Later in the day, Togo confirmed Damiba’s extradition, stating that it was in response to a request received from Burkina Faso on January 12.

The statement from Togo, dated Monday but released on Tuesday, indicated that Damiba faces charges in Burkina Faso, including embezzlement of public funds, illicit enrichment, corruption, and money laundering.

The statement did not refer to a coup plot.

Reuters could not contact Damiba for a response, and it remained uncertain whether he had legal representation in Togo. The government of Burkina Faso has not provided a response to the request for comment.

A source close to Togo’s presidency did not directly associate Damiba with any particular coup plot in Burkina Faso, but indicated that he had previously been cautioned regarding his involvement in attempts to destabilise his home country.

Since 2020, West and Central Africa has experienced nine military coups.

Traore has declared multiple coup attempts since assuming power.